Since its opening in 1968, University School has been recognized as a center of educational innovation. Initially named University Elementary School, the name officially changed to University School in 2007. Established as a demonstration school in partnership with the Faculty of Education at the University of Calgary, it aimed to provide a setting where pre-service teachers could observe the integration of theory and practice to create effective teaching and learning approaches.
University School has a proud history of leadership and innovation in education. From its inception, it has been at the forefront of educational practices. In 1968, the staff already embraced collaborative, team-teaching methods in multi-aged classrooms, focusing on serving the diverse needs of all students. The programs at University School have always been designed to differentiate according to each learner's needs.
The school's physical structure was built to be flexible and responsive to innovation, featuring movable walls and viewing galleries above each classroom. Although the formal partnership with the University of Calgary changed in the mid-1990s due to budgetary constraints and the restructuring of the Bachelor of Education Program, the school continues to host pre-service teachers from various post-secondary institutions throughout Alberta.
For over five decades, University School has provided a robust academic program through innovation, leadership, and a commitment to aligning teaching practices with current educational research. The school has been privileged to have many staff members who have become prominent leaders in education.
We invite all families considering University School for their children to learn more about the school and the learning opportunities it provides. Explore the "news" section of our site, updated weekly throughout the year, and visit the school to ask questions and discover everything University School offers.
Mission & Goals
Our mission is to inspire a passionate commitment to learning. We strive to create engaging learning opportunities for students that are relevant in the world beyond the school. We leverage technology to extend the reach and grasp of our students and infuse the arts into learning to foster creativity and empower students to represent their understanding in a wide variety of ways.
Read about our goals and plans in our School Development Plan located in the Resources section.
University School Name
University School is so named because of its close proximity and affiliation to the University of Calgary. It was built in 1967 through joint funding from the Provincial Government, Calgary Board of Education, and the University of Calgary. The initial partnership heralded the role of the school as a training school for pre-service teachers in the Faculty of Education. A contract between the two parties encourages innovative practice, opportunities for collaborative inquiry, and active research.
Our School's Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
We are committed to acknowledging and supporting the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 94 Calls to Action specific to education. Our school, along with all CBE schools, made a Truth and Reconciliation Commitment to Action, on June 21, we renewed our commitment.
View Our Truth and Reconciliation Commitment | 2025-2026
School Development Plan
Each year, our school prepares a development plan with input from teachers, school staff, students and parents. We review many sources of data, including report cards, provincial achievement test results and school surveys. Based on this information, we create our plan identifying targeted areas for growth. Our school development plan is not meant to represent all of the work that takes place in our school, but rather it focuses on specific areas for improvement.
View Our School Development Plan | 2025-2026
School Improvement Results Report
Our school also prepares a results plan, which looks at our previous school year. It shows our students’ achievement and progress in meeting the goals and outcomes as set out by the CBE and Alberta Education, outlines some of the highlights of our school development plan and gives an overview of our school. You can look on the CBE website for system-wide results.